122 swimmers from 12 clubs for 3rd GCM C’ship
MIRI: Gymkhana Club Miri(GCM)w ill host its 3rd International Inter Club Swimming Championship this weekend.
GCM vice president and organising chairperson Lisa Chai has hailed the annual meet as “becoming very popular.”
It has attracted 122 swimmers from 12 teams including three from neigbouring Brunei and two new teams.
Brunei Speed Swimming Club, Hammerhead Swimming Club and Panaga Stingrays are the three Brunei teams while Bintulu Sports Amateur Club and Lis Marlin Labuan are the two new teams.
Teams from Miri include GCM, Kelab Renang Pujut Miri, K el ab Re kr ea si Petroliam and Sailfish Aquatic Athletics Centre.
Dashing Dolphin Swimming Club from Sibu, overall champion in the inaugural meet, and two Kuching teams - Power Aquatics Swimming Club and Sarakuatic Swimming Club - will also be competing. “Miri hope to defend its title this year and we are sending the most number of participants totalling 66 and of the number 36 are from GCM,” Lisa revealed yesterday. The age categories are Group I (15-17 years), Group II (1314), Group III (11-12), Group IV ( 910) and Group V ( 8 and under).
Members of public are invited to watch the championship from 8am to 5pm on Sept 29 (Saturday) and 8am to 12pm on Sept 30 ( Sunday).
Piasau assemblyman Datuk Sebastian Ting will officiate the opening ceremony at 10am on Sept 29 while Assistant Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Datuk Lee Kim Shin will close the event and give away the prizes at 11am on Sept 30.
Meanwhile, GCM president Vincent Lu Yew Hee said the annual championship is one of their major events to promote a healthy lifestyle among people of all ages. He added that the club is dedicated to provide an environment with different sports facilities for its members and the community.
A membership promotion will be carried out in conjunction with the swimming championship. Any individual who sign up will be entitled for a rebate of RM1,000 for the entrance fee.